diff --git a/code/modules/persistence/effects/filth.dm b/code/modules/persistence/effects/filth.dm
index 33129c2b8c..4abd684ec7 100644
--- a/code/modules/persistence/effects/filth.dm
+++ b/code/modules/persistence/effects/filth.dm
@@ -49,16 +49,19 @@
 	// new _path(creating, token["age"]+1)
 	var/atom/inst
 	if(ispath(_path, /obj/effect/decal/cleanable/crayon))
+		if(!istext(token["art_color"]) || !istext(token["art_shade"]) || !istext(token["art_type"]))
+			return
 		inst = new _path(creating, token["art_color"], token["art_shade"], token["art_type"], token["age"]+1)
 	else
 		if (saves_dirt)
 			new _path(creating, token["age"]+1, token["dirt"])
 		else
 			new _path(creating, token["age"]+1)
-	if(token["pixel_x"])
-		inst.pixel_x = token["pixel_x"]
-	if(token["pixel_y"])
-		inst.pixel_y = token["pixel_y"]
+	if(inst)
+		if(token["pixel_x"])
+			inst.pixel_x = token["pixel_x"]
+		if(token["pixel_y"])
+			inst.pixel_y = token["pixel_y"]
 	// CHOMPEdit End
 
 /datum/persistent/filth/GetEntryAge(var/atom/entry)